Ryan Truex on standby for Denny Hamlin, who is on ‘baby watch’
Hamlin's main priority on most Sundays is the NASCAR Cup race ahead of him, but that's certainly not the case this weekend
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Jordan Fish
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, who already has two Cup wins this year, is set to make his 700th career Cup start on Sunday. However, the expected arrival of a baby boy may keep him from the track.
Hamlin and long-time partner Jordan Fish already have two girls, but the due date for their first-born son is June 1st -- the same day as the Cup race at Nashville.
Ryan Truex, younger brother of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., is the reserve driver and will be called upon to pilot the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota should Hamlin have to leave the track.
Truex has 26 Cup Series starts, but none since the 2014 season -- almost 11 years ago. Most recently, Truex has competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with JGR, winning three races since 2023.
Hamlin is scheduled to start from the outside of the front row for Sunday's 400-mile race with teammate Chase Briscoe earning pole position. If Hamlin starts the event and Truex has to replace him mid-race, then Hamlin will get credit for the final finishing position. However, if Hamlin misses the start, the car will go to the rear of the field and Truex will get credit for the start.
NASCAR has introduced a stricter playoff waiver policy for 2025 and has promised to strip drivers of all playoff points if they need a waiver for non-medical reasons. However, missing a race for the birth of a child is covered under valid medical reasons, so there is no issue for Hamlin should he need to miss the race entirely.
Photos from Nashville - Practice & Qualifying
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
2025 Nashville - Saturday
Share Or Save This Story
Top Comments
Without charters, what would happen to 23XI and FRM as open teams?
23XI and FRM likely to lose NASCAR charters after major loss in U.S. Court of Appeals
Carson Hocevar will try to "round the edges off" after clashing with rivals
Why Denny Hamlin had to catch his breath after a milestone 700th NASCAR Cup race
Fueling blunder denies Denny Hamlin a shot at Coke 600 win
Denny Hamlin on why teams rejected NASCAR offer to build 'illegal' All-Star cars
Chase Briscoe earns pole for Nashville Cup race as JGR sweeps front row
After Coke 600 pole, Briscoe says he’s been under-driving at JGR
Christopher Bell blindsided by spotter split ahead of Coca-Cola 600: “It was Stevie’s decision”
Ford and Chevrolet split Supercars wins at Wanneroo
WATCH LIVE: Rotax MAX Euro Trophy tests the technically inclined at Steel Ring race
How Adrian Newey is “provoking” Aston Martin
Corey Lajoie regrets '12 fans' comment he made about lower NASCAR divisions
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
